IF ever you wanted evidence of just how far Everton FC have progressed in recent years, then Tuesday’s draw with Arsenal should probably do the trick.

The Blues competed for absolutely everything, against an Arsenal side that traditionally has been streets ahead of them.

I thought the draw was the right result in the end, but it could easily have gone Everton’s way, and that in itself says plenty about how they are improving and making their mark on the Premier League.

There were plenty of excellent performances at the Emirates, but for me one player stood out head and shoulders above the rest.

Phil Jagielka , to me, is David Moyes’ version of Dave Watson. The level of consistency he has shown over this season, and the quality he has displayed with it, has been outstanding. He has been Everton’s star performer on countless occasions, and at Arsenal he was tremendous.

These sort of players, Jagielkas and Watsons, are worth their weight in gold to a manager. How reassuring it is to know that amongst all the pressures, the trials and the tribulations, you have a player who will stand up and be counted week upon week, game after game.

Jagielka puts his body on the line for the cause, he leads by example from the back, and Everton are lucky to have him. I don’t think it is stretching it to compare him to Big Dave Watson, not in the slightest.

He’s also, now, the big leader on the field, with Phil Neville on the verge of retiring. I’ve seen a few teams at Everton recently who could do with a leader like him on the field, trust me.

If Everton are to end the season successfully, and I think they can, then they will owe lots to the form of their talismanic defender.